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NHL Predictions for 2016-17 Regular Season – Central Division

By Daniel Mcclue

Mar 29, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) and Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Predators 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) and Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Predators 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal (12) celebrates his goal with defenseman Ryan Suter (20) during the third period of a preseason hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal (12) celebrates his goal with defenseman Ryan Suter (20) during the third period of a preseason hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Wild, 5th – 89 points

Backed by a sneaky-good defensive group, the Wild could threaten the top dogs in the Central.

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Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, Jonas Brodin are all great defensemen with Suter, the oldest, being only 31 years old. Conceding only the 22nd most amount of goals and the 24th most amount of shots, their defense is good. With Suter, Spurgeon and Dumba offering some thrust through the neutral zone and playmaking from the blue line.

With Charlie Coyle moving to the wing, Eric Staal centering and Zach Parise opposite, they have a solid top line. Their forward depth is impressive, however, Nino Niederreiter and Erik Haula will be expected to score more goals. Especially after the loss of depth forward Thomas Vanek.

Devan Dubnyk was sensational when he was traded from the Arizona Coyotes in 2014-15. But last season he couldn’t quite replicate the same performance, conceding 2.33 goals per game, with a save percentage of .918.

Minnesota’s goal differential of +10 was way behind the conference leaders. If they are looking to push forward they need smart defensive play while improving their penalty kill, which was 4th worst in the league.

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